Rowhouse with a rich history: This Old “Petworth” House (part 4)
/One unassuming Petworth rowhouse holds so much history and original features.
by Cesse Ip
This is the fourth in a series of articles that showcases some of the unique original features of our Petworth-area houses.
When Micaela emailed me to say that the previous owner commissioned a spiral bound book about the home’s history and invited me over, I knew it would be a treat!
Micaela bought her Petworth rowhome in 2017 and knew that many of the features in her house were original and special.
The home owners on their porch.
The pocket doors between the living and dining room are used every day. The entryway between the front door and the living room still has the original wood framing. A plate shelf in her dining room used to be typical of Petworth rowhomes, but many have been lost over the years.
The original pocket doors (unpainted!) still open and close.
A plate shelf runs the length of the dining room.
Columns are a common design in Petworth homes, and these are still in original condition.
On the second floor, the transoms still open above the bedroom doors!
Many transoms have been painted over and no longer open… but not these.
The previous homeowners left several relics of the past in the attic for Micaela and her husband. A tattered book from Lincoln’s library was also left in the attic.
Relics of the past.
A style chart sits in their closet that helps you match your tie to your shirt and suit.
These homeowners don’t need any help color-coordinating.
The history report of the home commissioned by the previous owner states that the nine houses on the 201 to 205 block of Taylor Street and 225 to 231 block of Rock Creek Church Road were built at an estimated cost of approximately $2,800 and sold for $4,450 each.
The report also mentions the holes in the brick walls that were used for workers to pass through materials and tools so they could perform the same job in each house but without having to exit the house. In fact, in our first “This Old Petworth House” article, Annette showed us the remnants of hers in the exposed brick wall.
If you or someone you know are willing to have your “old house” featured in an upcoming article, please reach out!
